Relay For Life - Sofa so good!

The Relay for Life team joined Arbroath football club on The big Brother Couch at Gayfield before Saturday's game.

Published:16:35Saturday 06 September 2014

Cancer Research volunteers were painting the town purple in Arbroath last Saturday ahead of the Relay For Life event on September 20.

They visited the three main supermarkets with a giant candle bag and the purple sofa before dropping in at Gayfield where members of the board and playing staff declared their support for the event.

Plans are afoot to feature the purple sofa at this years event.

“When people are having fun, they want to have the opportunity to tell everyone else about it. With that in mind we are planning to have a ‘diary room’. The purple sofa will allow relay participants to have a comfy seat while they say a few words about their relay experience,” explained Relay chair, Ian Angus.

The volunteers also described the more poignant aspects of the day. Ian said: “We had a giant candle bag made as a means of highlighting one of the most emotionally charged parts of the day. A hush falls over the crowd that has been having fun and celebrating life and everyone gathers round to remember loved ones lost to cancer and to honour those whose fight continues. Every candle bag represents hope for a future when all cancers are cured.”

A candle bag will be dedicated in memory of Dr Gordy Klatt who started the concept of Relay For Life.

“In a cruel twist of fate Dr Klatt himself was diagnosed with cancer and sadly lost his fight last month.

“Relay for life will remain as his memorial but I would like to invite everyone to dedicate an extra candle bag this year in memory of the man who took the fight against cancer to a new level and gave the gift of this very special event that unites communities across the world,” added Ian.